Drexel church receives $2K grant to support free movie nights, community events space

Pastor Mike Chandler is entering the new year with a vision and grant funding that will continue to make Drexel First Baptist Church a cornerstone and gathering place for families in the community.

In November, the church held its first movie night, showing Disney’s “Encanto,” which was free for the community. Chandler said about 50 people came out to watch and interest in the event has been growing ever since, with the next showing coming this spring on March 20, featuring “Zootopia 2.”

“We just want to make sure people know that we’re here to really love on them and serve them, and we’re here for them,” Chandler said. “We wanted to make sure we provide something fun that was free, that they would not have to worry about the cost.”

Now, with a $2,000 grant from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Chandler said the church’s outdoor space, which is located right in the heart of downtown Drexel, will receive a stage for events, picnic tables, a coffee kiosk, and lighting around the church’s playground.

The church’s outdoor space, specifically the playground, is already a popular spot among Drexel families, but additional lighting will allow for longer hours of use, especially during the winter months. The stage will be used for movie nights, church events, and more.

The coffee kiosk is a new idea that will offer free coffee for people who are picking up their children or leaving to go to work in the mornings, Chandler said, adding that the kiosk will be located in the picnic shelter area. Also covered in the funding will be some ADA accessibility improvements.

“We’re just trying to expand this back lawn,” Chandler said. “Rather than space we mow, use it for ministry.”

FREE MEALS

Another Drexel First Baptist initiative is free meals for the community in cooperation with Second Harvest Food Bank. The church started giving away free meals in November when Burke County families were without full access to benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The program has taken off, Chandler said, adding that now the church gives away free meals every Wednesday from 2-5 p.m. Since the program started, Drexel First Baptist has provided meals to nearly 700 families. The Jan. 7 drive reached record numbers, Chandler said, with 106 families coming by to receive meals.

“Right now there’s such stress on families with financial things, cost of living, cost of groceries,” Chandler said. “Everybody’s feeling the crunch and the squeeze of finances and so we can offer food to people for assistance. We can offer something that’s quality for just a night out that’s free to enjoy.”